Is a Cat-cut necessary on a cuben fiber tarp?

[StealthHikerBoy]

I am about to pull the trigger on a cuben fiber tarp that will be used to camp on the ground.

If I got this right, a cat cut makes for a tighter and easier pitch. It can limit the ways the tarp can be pitched, but I don't think I care about that much as I anticipate putting it in a A frame for the most part.

Since cuben doesn't really stretch, is a cat-cut necessary for a cuben tarp? I guess the real question is, if you were going to buy a cuben tarp for ground camping in an A-frame setup, would you get a cat-cut version?

Thanks!

[DuneElliot]

Personally, I wouldn't. But then I like to be able to use my stuff for more than one thing. I would want the options that a rectangular or square tarp provides vs the catenary cut. That's only my opinion for my use...the cat cut works fine for many.

[Dogwood]

I still like the cat cut on cuben because when pitched well it adds to more easily distributing the forces equally building in additional strength important for wind, snow loading, etc. Is a cat cut the be all end all to getting a great A frame pitch?…No. In the hands of an experienced tarper, or in some situations a cuben flat tarp pitched well, is certainly fine in my mind. The thing is since cuben doesn't stretch, is in my mind, one of the reasons to want cat cuts because it doesn't stretch like silnys. Opinions vary though. BTW, there are many shaped tarps that have catenary cuts too.

I'm sure you've read some of these:

http://sectionhiker.com/what-is-the-difference-between-flat-tarps-and-shaped-tarps/

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/95133/

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/66011/

[Dogwood]

BTW, there is sometimes the assumption that a cat cut trap usually set up in an A frame config is only limited to that configuration. NO WAY! Although a cat cut tarp usually set up in a A frame config is more limited in possible optional configurations than a non cat cut cut flat square, rectangular, or maybe even a trapezoidal shaped tarp it is NOT limited to A frame only. Don't forget that square, rect, and trapezoidal shaped tarps can have cat cuts too and that doesn't vastly limit their config possibilities.

[nsherry61]

It is easier to pitch a stretchier fabric without wind flap than it is to pitch a non-stretchy fabric without wind flap (think of how tights form to your legs without wrinkles). So, from the standpoint of stretchiness, it is more important to have a cat cut cuben than a cat cut silnylon tarp. And, I would argue that if you are always planning on pitching an a-frame, the cat cut tarp is a much more sensible option. The only reason to not do a cat cut is to either provide more different pitch options or to save money due to manufacturing cost, or both. The added cost of catenary lines on a cuben tarp is a pretty small percentage of the overall cost, so probably not really a legitimate issue.

For what it's worth, I vastly prefers using flat tarps purely for pitch flexibility. But, it's really sweet having a cat cut tarp when pitching an a-frame!

[nsherry61]

. . . Don't forget that square, rect, and trapezoidal shaped tarps can have cat cuts too and that doesn't vastly limit their config possibilities.
Actually, square, rect, and trapezoidal shaped tarps might have cat cut edges, but, unless they also have a cat-cut ridge-line (thus limiting their pitches) they are only a partial cat cut tarp not a true cat cut tarp. So, with partial cat cut tarps, you get a compromise. Not necessarily a bad thing, but also, not as tight and beautiful of an a-frame pitch.

[Dogwood]

Gotcha. But why limit yourself to A frame only configs if one has catenary cut circumference edges on a flat square, rectangular, hex, penta, or trapezoidal tarp when you don't have to? You get the opp for a tight well distributed forces config with those cat cut cut edges even without a cat cut ridge line. And, one does NOT need a cat cut ridge line to get a drum tight cuben fiber, spinnaker or silny tarp A frame config. Do it regularly. Joe and Ron demonstrate nice pitches with non cat cut cuben tarps. http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/tarps.shtml http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=81

To me speaking of ridge lines implies A frame or A frame like configs. That doesn't have to be. You're not harshly limited to A frame configs with cat cut edges on the circumference.

Maybe, we're talking about some of the same things in different ways? ;)

[Violent Green]

if you were going to buy a cuben tarp for ground camping in an A-frame setup, would you get a cat-cut version?

Thanks!

To answer this question - Yes. If strictly A-frame, I would go with a cat cut ridgeline. Even in cuben it makes for a much better pitch.